EDF 4604 - Education in America

College of Education

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2019 (565)

Requisites

Admission to Educational Studies and Community Leadership (Bachelor of Science) (EDST-BS)

Course Description

The course will examine the role of education in American culture. This course is designed to provide students with the general knowledge, skills, and principles necessary to understand the events, opportunities, and challenges they will confront as education professionals. Students will receive instruction on proper conflict resolution, effective interpersonal and intrapersonal communication, and appropriate soft skills (people, social, communication, character traits, attitudes, career attributes, social and emotional intelligence) necessary to successfully navigate a variety of academic and professional environments.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will evaluate events, opportunities and challenges that characterize academic and professional environments by:
    1. analyzing social and cultural complexities related to the growing diversification of the workforce.
    2. discussing the importance of learning and continued professional growth as a powerful tool for economic mobility in a global economy.
    3. assessing methods and models for addressing needs within workplace groups, departments or organizations.
    4. investigating strategies and best practices for managing change in the workplace.
    5. adapting specific tools needed to leverage skills and increase effectiveness as an educated professional in the public or private sector.
  2. The student will examine the personal, organizational and societal benefits of conflict management by:
    1. identifying the definitions, myths, and issues related to managing and resolving conflict.
    2. recognizing the nature of conflict and its impact on interpersonal relationships and organizations.
    3. using interpersonal communication skills effectively in a range of specific conflict situations.
    4. integrating a broad range of practical and theoretical concepts, processes, and methodologies in managing and resolving conflicts relevant to his or her emphasis of work or study.
    5. applying conflict intervention strategies such as coaching, negotiation, and mediation in the management and resolution of conflict.
    6. exploring the influence of gender, cultural differences, persuasion, perception, and power in conflict resolution.
    7. assessing individual conflict management styles.
  3. The student will assess aspects of effective communication by:
    1. characterizing the foundations, elements, and principles related to interpersonal and intrapersonal communication.
    2. identifying the role of communication in personal and professional success.
    3. developing a repertoire of strategies for active listening and improved communication in verbal and non-verbal contexts.
    4. applying interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, proficiencies and strategies in a variety of settings and contexts.
    5. investigating psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence perceptions of self and others.
    6. recognizing the interpersonal nature of communication behaviors such as giving feedback, receiving criticism, and resolving conflict.
    7. organizing and presenting appropriate messages adapted to specific audiences.
  4. The student will apply appropriate social and emotional competencies related to employability skills by:
    1. identifying social and emotional aptitudes and behaviors that impact work-based relationships and situations.
    2. comparing and contrasting key principles and concepts within social and emotional intelligences.
    3. utilizing the social dimension of human intelligence to navigate and negotiate complex social situations and environments.
    4. utilizing core abilities and techniques of emotional intelligence within workplace situations.
    5. employing social and emotional intelligences to improve personal decision-making and professional contributions in the workplace.
    6. assessing potential and actual barriers to successful use of social and emotional and behaviors.
  5. The student will assess character traits, attitudes and career attributes needed to successfully navigate academic and professional settings by:
    1. identifying key personal attributes and skills deemed highly valued by employers and essential for effective performance in the workplace.
    2. analyzing personal strengths and limitations in developing and improving workplace values such as resiliency, confidence and adaptability.
    3. relating ethical concepts to ethical problems, challenges and dilemmas in a range of specific professions.
    4. employing appropriate methodologies in gathering and analyzing information pertinent to decision-making and problem-solving.
    5. recognizing an individual’s role and personal ability as a means to enhance collaboration and communication within an organization, agency or institution.
    6. engaging in self-evaluation and informed critical reflection to support achievement of goals and professional growth within an organization, agency or institution.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 75% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: 02/14/2019, BOT Approval: 03/19/2019, Effective Term: Fall 2019 (565)

Related Programs

  1. Educational Studies and Community Leadership (EDST-BS) (610) (Draft)